LEIGH WOOD scored an incredible comeback KO by knocking Mick Conlan out the ring, just seconds before he was about to lose.
After being sickeningly dropped in the first round, the Nottingham star, 33 was about to lose the WBA featherweight title on the scorecards.
After a thrilling fight with Leigh Wood
, Michael Conlan fell through his ropes and out the ring.
Conlan was left with serious injuries after Conlan's final volley in round 12.
After Conlan's bell rang, celebrations were quiet as Conlan was taken to the hospital on a stretcher.
Later, it was reported that the 31-year-old Irishman was awake and responding backstage. He was then taken to a local hospital.
Wood concluded by saying, "Thank you to all of the fans." All the Irish traveling fans. First, I want to let you know that I am glad Michael is doing well.
"I can't celebrate until he's okay. "My thoughts are with him right now."
Wood leapt over the top of the rope to enter the fight with the support from his large home crowd.
Conlan was keen to counterpunch, and he bounced right onto the front foot.
Conlan managed to catch a couple of right hooks from Wood whipped into his arms, but they sounded very punishing.
Conlan unleashed a life-changing lefthand from his southpaw stance just as the bell rang. It floored Wood violently.
Amazingly, the defending champ won the count and returned to his stool. Conlan was only seconds away from winning.
Wood was in an awful state when the second began, barely standing but swinging with instinct.
Conlan grabbed his left eye with another left hook, and Conlan's legs became jelly. Conlan suddenly felt a gaping wound over his left eye. It required attention at every opportunity and threatened to ooze out of his eye.
It was amazing that Wood was still standing at end of second session. Even more remarkable was the fact that he hurled big shots of his own, which pinned Conlan to the ropes.
Wood's nose was bloody by the time the third began, and he was trying to save his breath with a lot of rubbing and clearing.
The fifth saw a slugfest turn into a bloodbath with dozens of head bumps and punches leaving a seeping scar in the eyebrows of the Englishman.
Round six was undoubtedly scrappy, as fighters tried desperately to catch their breath after the blood-soaked initial minutes of non-stop fighting.
Wood had regained his legs at the half-way mark, but he was still throwing heavy shots towards Conlan's face.
Both brave gladiators gave it their best. The seventh was even more spectacular. Wood was looking for concussive blows, while Conlan weaved and bobbed at angles. It was amazing boxing.
Wood won round eight, as Conlan's engine began to falter under constant pressure.
He then used the pressure to his advantage by taking him to a peach with green army roaring.
It was amazing stuff. Sometimes it was a boxing match, but more often it was an all-out fight between two men who were determined to please their audience.
Wood began round nine with his right arm too low. Conlan cracked Wood with two more left-hands, and then tied him a few times with rasping jabs.
The entire tenth round was spent in the pocket by the pair, who were joined at the forehead, slashing at each other's bodies.
Wood seemed to be landing the larger shots, but Conlan's defense was excellent as he slipped out of range by millimetres.
Round 11 was thrilling and ended in controversy. Conlan hit the deck, but claimed it was a slip. Steve Gray, the referee, gave a count that Team Conlan was furious at.
Then, in something reminiscent of Rocky, Wood unloaded Conlan and knocked him out of the ring.
The Irishman disappeared between the ropes, and he collapsed into the VIP seats.
Wood warned the crowd not to get too wild, but he urged them to keep their cool so that medics could reach the sickened ace.
Conlan looked tired in the final round and was taken from the arena on a stretcher.
Paramedics treated him, but he was reported to be awake and responsive backstage.
